A judging competition took place in January to select the six runners up which will be sampled by the visitors during The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival early may. They will have to choose between two single malts (tasted blind) in three categories.
The ten judges had make a selection among 37 samples submitted by distilleries across Speyside. In the category for malts under 12 – or with no age statement – the finalists are Cardhu Gold Reserve and Strathisla 12 Year Old. The 13 to 20 years section is between Aberlour 18 Year Old and Glenfiddich 18 Year Old. Glen Spey 21 Year Old will go head to head with Benromach 30 Year Old in the category for over 20 years.